Four stars for Dr. Singh and 0 star for the receptionist. I had severe sore throat and coughs along with dizziness so I decided to find the closest doctor's office from my apartment and came across Dr. Singh. Since I have Emblem Health HIP Prime (for NYC government employees including teachers), I have $0 copay as long as I see the designated Primary Care Physician. I called my health insurance company and changed my PCP without a problem, and the update was reflected in my online account with a temporary insurance card.
The receptionist hung up on me while making an appointment because she couldn't wait for me to take out my insurance card from my wallet. I asked her to hold on just a minute but she had no mercy. It was difficult to speak but I called again and had to give my personal information all over again and finally made an appointment. When I showed up, there was no greeting and I had to get the receptionist's attention and asked if I had to fill out anything if I am the new patient. Even though I showed her my temporary insurance card from the health insurance website, the receptionist said I need a physical card so I had to call my health insurance representative and hand over the phone so that the receptionist can get the case number and other information she wanted.
Even though I made an appointment and this is a very small clinic, I waited for 30 minutes even after the last patience left and I know that there is no other patient. Well, Dr. Singh was fast and efficient but the problem arose again when I was about to leave. The receptionist asked for $10 copayment even though I showed her my new temporary insurance card on the website that has $0 copayment information on it. She was adamant that I give her $10 and since I was sick and just wanted to get over this mess with, I gave her my credit card so that she can cancel it later after confirming with my health insurance company that I really don't have any copayment. After swiping my credit card several times and failing, she wanted cash. Gosh, I did fax my new temporary card to the doctor's office twice but it's not my fault that their fax machine is broken. I did give her cash as she wanted because I just wanted to get the hell out of that office.
I called my health insurance company after leaving the office and explained what happened and that I would like the office to send my $10 via mail because I can't go there anymore (due to disappointment and my unavailability as I work long hours). The health insurance representative put me on the phone with her so that we can resolve this issue together, but the receptionist said I have to come back to the office to get my money back. I'm sick and I took a day off from my work to see the doctor. I can't take off any day anymore and plus I'm not going to go through struggle to get my money back when it was the receptionist's fault.
The receptionist put Dr. Singh at the end of the conversation and he revealed his mistrust towards health insurance company by saying he's not going to refund my $10 until the health insurance approves his claim. Apparently many of his past patients' health insurance companies denied the coverage and he was not paid. I'm sorry to hear that but don't use my copayment as a hostage to make the health insurance pay... I'm just really stressed about this whole nonsense and even though it might take longer, I'll visit a hospital instead of small private clinic as they're usually more professional. read more